Duplex rail delay mechanism



Aug. 24, 1937. M. wALDEN l DUPLEX RAIL DELAY MECHANISM Filed DGO. 29, 1935 Q10/WM i ROMAN FACE BOLD FACE INVENTOR ATToRN Patented Aug. 24, 1937 UNITED STATES DUPLEX RAIL DELAY MECHANISF/i Application December 29, 1933, Serial No. 704,467

40 Claims.

This invention relates to linecasting and coniposing machines and more particularly to automatic control mechanisms for operating machines of this class and similar keyboard controlled devices.

The present invention is an improvement upon the mechanism disclosed and described in copending application Serial No. 600,606, led March 23, 1932, and has as its object the provision of mechanism embodied in an automatic control unit for linecasting machines whereby certain special functions or operations which are inherently slower in performance than are the most frequently executed functions will be controlled from a control medium but will be delayed, pending the performance of other functions of the machine and/or mechanism.

In the control of linecasting and composing machines, most functions are concerned with the o selective release of matrices from their respective channels in a storage magazine after which they are permitted to gravitate to a lower level and be assembled in a carriage device known in the art as a matrix assembling block. Each 25 matrix is customarily provided with two related character impressions or intaglios located one above the other in the operative position of the matrix, while the assembling block is provided with a shiftable or displaceable upper level sup- 30 porting rail which, by its presentment or withdrawal from the ingress portion of the assembling block, may be made to determine the position in which subsequently received matrices shall thereafter be sup-ported within the block.

35 The position of each matrix, once determined by the condition of the aforesaid shiftable rail, prevails throughout the composing operation and until an assembled line of matrices is thereafter transported to the casting mechanism.

40 A certain time interval is required from the instant during which a matrix is released until the instant at which it is received in the assembling block. As a result, when it is desired to effect the movement of the assembling block:

4,5 slide rail following the reception of a certain matrix to vary the manner of reception of the next matrix or matrices, means must be provided for suspending the movement of the rail until the preceding matrix has had time to com- 50 plete its travel and be properly received in the assembling block. Otherwise, with a spontaneous movement of the rail the reception of the preceding matrix might be effected in a position other than the one intended for it. It is accord- 55 ingly a feature of the present invention to intro duce a time delay period equivalent to or exceeding the time necessary for the travel of one matrix its storage magazine to the assembling bloclr before the shiftable rail is operated to receive the next matrix or matrices.

This problem has been recognized before, various means having been provided for effecting this time delay, among which one method was to insert a suitable number of blank signals before each rail shift signal in the control tape. The .10 effect of a blank signal is the mere idle operation of the record sensing mechanism, no functional response resulting therefrom, so that a proper number of blank signals intervening the last matrix selecting signal and each rail shift signal 15 would effectively accomplish the desired object. This method may be considered objectionable because the introduction of blank signals into the tape requires a conscious effort and a certain degree of caution on the part of the tape perfcrating operator, and for the further reason that the inclusion of a certain number of blank signais before each rail shift signal, particularly inv cases where a rail shift signal is frequently used, produces an unduly lengthened control form as compared with that otherwise required for the essential control signals.

While this invention is explained and described herein as applied to the rail shift function, it should be understood that the principles thereof 30 are equally applicable to other functions having similar or related requirements.

A feature of the present invention is the provision of a variable time delay interval that may be measured in terms of units so that the total time delay may be considered as an aggregate predetermined number of time delay unit intervals.

In a control unit of the construction shown in the above identified application, a portionof which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, there are provided a set of feeler levers which carry tape sensing pins. The pins of 'these levers are simultaneously presented in a transverse alignment to a tape which carries various transverse rows of perforations. The arrangement of the perforations is sensed by the feeler levers through their sensing pins and is thereafter transferred to a corresponding set of notched code bars. The notches of these code bars are so arranged that for each permutable position of the several bars, an individual alignment of the notches is afforded transversely. A plurality of selectable pull bars located adjacent g the code bars are adapted to be moved into an operative position when the alignment of notches is so disposed to select a particular one of them.

kAfter being moved into selected position, each of the pull bars may then be moved by a common actuator to perform'a'particular function to which the pull bar is specially delegated. The several functions vary, such as matrix release operations, elevator operations, etc. Y are employed in connection with the illustration of the present invention for shifting a movable assembling block supporting rail which may accordingly determine the position inwliich subseduently releasedrmatriccsare received within the Vlinecasting machine assembling block. In Vorder zine, the response of the mechanism which moves to permit previcusly released matrices suiicient time in which to descend to the assembling block from` their source. of origin in the matrix magatheshiftable rail must be delayed for a prede- Ytermined timeV interval and the record reader mechanismwhich senses the tape must also be momentarily arrested to permit this interval of delay. Y

VThese features are obtained by the provision ofV Ymined signals .whose response is to be delayed,

there is immediately brought about the mechanical selection of a blocking lever which therejupon blocks .the further operation of the tape ad-V vancing mechanism while permitting the Ycon-V tinued rotation of the record reader operating Ashaft which is'then translated into so many consecutive ratchet feedingV operations. operations continue until a pin carriedV by the I ratchet feed mechanism causes 'a'restcring arm to move which disturbs the selection mentioned abovedisplacing the blocking arm and permitting the reengagement of the tape Ladvancing mechanism. Normally, aV special code bar is pre- Vsented into its blocking position, and is located alongside Vthe several selector code bars resembling them in all respects except that place of the variously coded cr'notched edges, it is cut away opposite each of the general class of selective '"elements, but isl provided with a lug Vopposite those elementsV onlywvhose functions are concerned in the delay effected by the present invention; As a result, in accordance with eachrselection which is to be delayed, .when the several general code bars are properly positioned to per- 776.0, Y ratus, a projection carried by one of the levers mit the selective movement of such elements, the Vspecial bar referred to remains presentedso as to block the selection. Y Y a Y f Upon the restorative movement of the appaserves todisplace the special or blocking Vcode bar, Vconsumrnating the selection of the prede- V Vtermined element and Vits resultant functional c 6:57

operation. In this mannerthe response to a parfticular selecting signal is delayed for a certain interval that may be measured by the number of Y revolutions made by the record reader operating shaft which intervene the initiation of the delay is permitted by the stop shaft 35 which engages mechanism and its subsequent restoration.

As a further incident of the present invention, it should be noted that'bymeans of this mechanism the initiation of any function may be delayed for a predetermined interval, and upon Two Vcf such functions' These thereof may proceed at the customary or preoperation of the ratchet feed or tolling mecha-Y iism embodying the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse section taken on a similar plane to Fig. 2, but illustrating ane other condition of operation;

Fig. fl is a detail view of a fragmentof the control form such as ,may be used in a machine of this class illustrating particularly two of the signal operations which initiate theY Bold and Roman shift operations and upon the reception AVofwhich Ythe present invention is brought into play in accordance with this disclosure.

Automatic control devices of theclass to which the present invention is particularly applicable I are customarily controlled by means of a contin-y uous paper web II fed through the medium of'aY Y sprocket wheel I2 which engages a. central row of perforations I3. Coded signals are composed uponl the tape or control form II in an arrangement of variously distributed perforations I4- transversely aligned with respectto the web. The f' sprocket I2 is carried by a shaft I5 upon which isV also mounted a ratchet wheel rI6 Vthrough which motion is received by the engagement therewith of a reciprocally moving pawl I1. The latter is rcarried upon a lever I8 which, as best indicated a follower roller 2B.with Whichrit engages the periphery of a cam 21 to be referred to hereinafter as the tape feeding cam. Y

' The tape feeding cam 21 is secured to a shaft 28 which, as may be discerned from the copendingv Vthat functions to periodically withdraw the tape sensing elements, about to be described, and a cam 3l which reciprocatesrthe'signal transferring elements in timed relation with the sensing opera- The tape sensing elements, in accordance with the present embodiment, comprise a series of sixV feeler levers 32 supported in actransverse alignment and pivoted upon aV shaft 33. Individual spring elements 34 urge the several levers 32 in a counterclockwise direction so far as their travel the side walls of a central perforation 36 in each ofthe levers. Feeler pins 31, one of which is pron vided with each of the levers 32, are aligned transversely so that when the severalv levers 32 tend to assume theircounterclockwise Vextreme position, each pin 31 is brought into registration with a predetermined position of the tape ll, whereat a perforation may or may not occur in accordance with each set of perforations constituting a particular code.

Where a pin 31 encounters a perforation, its lever 32 is permitted to rotate a few degrees farther, as illustrated by the foremost lever in Fig. 2, in which case its right-hand projection 38 is presented to register opposite an abutment 3s of a transfer lever 4l associated with it. In such a case, the left-hand projection 42 of the particular lever is displaced rightWar-dly so as to avoid registration with its associated abutment 4S of lever 4I. On the other hand, if the pin 31 encounters an area in the surface of the control form l l that has not been perforated, its lever 32 is thereby prevented from rotating the full distance, but is permitted to assume instead a position such as the one exemplified by the rearmost lever in Fig. 2, in which case its left-hand projection 42 is maintained in registration with the abutment 43 of its associated transfer lever 4l, while its righthand projection 33 clears the abutment 35 with which it is associate-d.

The several levers 32 are simultaneously brought into engagement with the tape `l l during a portion of each operative cycle, and they are likewise simultaneously withdrawn from such engagement by means of an operating bail 44. The latter is pivoted upon a shaft 45, Fig. l, and is urged in a clockwise direction by a relatively weak spring 46. At an instant during each operating cycle when the feeler levers 32 are to be withdrawn so that the tape Il may be advanced, the apex of cam 29 encounters a follower' roller 4'5 which is carried by one arm of a yoke 43. Through a projection 49 of yoke 48, the movement imparted by cam 29 is transmitted through the medium of a relatively stiff compression spring 5l to a projection 52 integrally formed with bail assembly 44. While spring 5| is rigid enough to transmit the reciprocal motion for withdrawing the several feeler levers from engagement with the tape periodically, it does, nevertheless, constitute a yieldable connection intermediate the operative linkage, so that in the event of any impairment with the free movement of the delicately constructed levers 32, the motion imparted by cam 2S may be absorbed within the spring element 5l, thereby sparing any danger of rupture to the tape sensing elements which follow subsequently in the operative train.

When the several levers 32 are variously positioned in accordance with a particular code combination as determined by the perforations in the tape Il, their projections 33 andA 42 are correspondingly arranged. Promptly thereafter the apex of cam 3| encounters a follower roller 53 of a bell crank assembly 54 which is. provided with an adjustment screw 55 for'varying the intermediate angle between its arms 55 and 51, the latter of which is bifurcated and is provided with a shaft 58 upon which are pivotally supported the several transfer levers 4I mentioned above. The motion originating from cam 3l is transmitted as a counter-clockwise torque to bell crank 54, causing the several transfer levers 4l carried by its arm 51 to be forced into engagement with the projections 38 and 42 of the associated feeler levers 32, Fig. 3. As a result of this movement, those levers whose projections 38,are in registration with the lugs 39 of their transfer levers 4l cause a clockwise motion to be imparted to the latter members, while those whose alternative projections 42 and the lugs 43 are brought into forcible engagement, cause an opposite movement to be imparted to their transfer levers 4l. This motion received by the levers 4| is directly transmitted through the disc and socket connections 59 to corresponding ones of a set of code bars 6l which are variously notched so thatupon each permutative position of the several of said bars E l a certain alignment of said notches is afforded to one of a plurality of selectable elements 62. In this manner a particular element 52 thus selected is operatively conditioned and subsequently receives motion from a suitable source whereby it completes its particular` function.

Of the several elements E2, two which are particularly concerne-d in connection with the present disclosure, are indicated 53 and 64. Upon the selection of either of these, their movement is transmitted through either of a pair of levers 55 and parallelogram assembly 56 to a link 61 which acts upon a bell crank 63 in cooperation with spring 6g to shift the rail 1l into one or another of its alternative positions, as explained above.

As thus far described, the movement of rail 'il follows in rapid succession the sensing of a rail shift signal by the several feeler levers 32, and it is the purpose of the present invention, following the reception of either type of shift signal of which there are two kinds, as indicated in Fig. 4, upon being sensed by the several levers 32, to delay the movement of the rail 1l for an interval of time that will suffice to permit any matrices which have been released by a signal preceding such shift signal to descend from their point of release in the magazine and be received in the assembling block 12 under the preceding conditions of the shiftable rail 1l.

As illustrated in the present embodiment, the signal received by the several transfer levers 4l is not directly imparted to the code bars 5| but is, instead, transmitted through the medium of an intervening set of slide bars 13, each of which is provided with a notch 14. The several notches 14 are so arranged that upon the reception of either a Bold or Roman rail shift signal, they are brought into transverse alignment, affording thereby a clearance for a rod 15 which is superimposed thereover and seeks at all times to descend into said clearance. When, following the reception of either of these signals, rod 15 is permitted to descend, a lever 16 to which the rod 'l5 is secured is thereby permitted to rotate counterclockwise in response to thei urge of its spring 11, Fig. 2. An upstanding arm 18 of lever 15 is not at all times free to move, however, because of the obstruction in its path by a projection 'E9 which is formed on an arm 8l that extends downwardly and rightwardly, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3, and is integrally formed with tape feed lever i8, described above in connection with the tape feeding mechanism. For this reason, lever 1@ may not be moved counterclockwise about its pivot 82, Fig. 2, except when the tape feeding lever IB is in its upward extremity, as illustrated in Fig. 3, at which time the end of arm 18, moving behind projection 15, prevents the return of lever l, causing the latter to be suspended in a position such as is illustrated in Fig. 3 and suspending thereby the further feeding of the control form or tape Il.

Arm 18 also carries a pin 83 which, during normal conditions of operation, Fig. 1, abuts the surface of an off-set of feed pawl 84 pivoted at 85 toan extended portion 86 of lever 25 and influenced leftwardly by a paWl spring 88. While the further reciprocation of tape feed lever I8 is suspended by the intervention of blocking lever 1'6 Ywhose Yupstanding arm 18 now underlies the `projection 19,.the principal operating lever vis not thereby impaired, but is, instead,'permitted to continueto reciprocate under the influence of cam 21and a return spring 81. c V c The reciprocating Ymovement of lever 25 is at all times imparted to pawl 851, but since during the normal condition of operation the latter memberl is blockedaby pin 83, its efforts are ine effectual until, upon the selective movement ofA blocking lever 16, pin 83 isV withdrawn, permittinglever 86, in response to its spring 88, to be moved inwardlyso 'that its tooth. 89 may come into engagement with a ratchet wheel 9|, which Y forms part of an'integral assembly that'also includes shaft @Stand associated ratchet wheel 93,

'FigiV Into the latter member is adapted'k to engage the tooth of a Vdetent pawl 9,9 which is also withheld from engagement during normal conditions by means of sidewardly extending arm'95 which engages at the rear of lever 84,'rnaking leverV 95 ,thereby dependent for its clockwise motion upon the freedom of lever 84;

Afclockwise torque is imparted `to shaft 92 by a helical spring 96 carried at the rearmost portion larly adjustable on 'shaft 92, encounters a stop thereof, Fig. i, compelling shaft 92 to seek clockwise rotation until a stop arm 91, which is angupin YV99, suitably anchored in the framework. After being allowed to engage the ratchet wheel 9|,Ithe further reciprocation of lever 84 causes iaft 92 to be' rotated counterclockwise the angu`V J lar equivalent of one tooth distance, in terms of the teeth on wheel 9|,f for each reciprocal move- V` vment ofrlerver 84, which is also indicative of a cycle of rotation ofshaft 28, as explained above.

Y Shaft 92V isrheld in its positionafter being advancedby pawl 84 through the instrumentality i ofdetent pawl V91|until 'after a predetermined Y intermediate the six feeier levers 32 and is adapted by its projections 38 and 42 to transfer a signal condition through a transfer lever 4| especiallyV assigned to it to a slide bar |06, in the same man- V tings to their associated bars 13 and 6|. Bar |06 CTI number of yoperations,.w.nen a pin Whichris secured at the side of ratchet wheel 9|, encounters a sidewardly extending projection |0| of a lever |02 idly carried upon shaft S2, which passes through a pairv of ears |03 integrally formed therewith,

The engagement of pin 99 With projection |0| imparts counterclockwiserotation to lever |02, causing an abutment screw |04, which is carried thereby, to engage a lever |05, Fig. 3. This lever generally resembles Vone ofthe feeler levers 32 except that it is not provided with the sidewardly extending portion nor with the feeler-pin31 carried thereby. Preferably, `lever Y|05 isY carried ner in which any of the bars 32 transfer their setresembles the general class of bars 13 in shape, but is articulated to a special code bar |01 which diifers somewhat from they general class of permutation code bars 6|. As will be seen'in Fig. 1, bar |01 is cut away opposite all of the positions in which the other barsare provided with variously coded blocking projections, except at |06 and |09 whereat it isprovided with blocking projections. Projection |08 is normally presented so `as to block the selection of element 64and proa jection |99 is normally( presented to block the selection of element 63, so'that upon the reception of either of thecode signals illustrated? in Fig. 4

though the remainder of the code bars 6| maybe moved into proper position for selecting either of the elements 63.01 64, theirselection will j nevertheless be blocked j by the interventionof special bar |01; f

Meanwhile, however, when Screw |04loiV leverV |02 engages` the special signal lever |05, itmoves the latter from itsrnorinal position, during whichI its projection 38 registers opposite lug 390i its transfer lever 4|, to its alternative positionwhen its projection V42 .comes into registration with lug 43 of lever 4|.

Thereafter, upon the transfer operation of lever` 56, thebar |06 and bar |01,' Vacting as a unit, are moved leftwardly as viewedV in Fig. 1, withdrawingthe projections, v|08 and |09 andrpermitting the particular oneof ele-2` ments 63 or 64 (depending upon Whether the Yshift signal is Bold or Roman) to be selected.

he movement of bar |06not only effects the movement of code bar "|01, butf'also through its" notch 14 which is thenurged out of transverseV alignment, Vcauses to be cammed out the rodA 15- which is carriedby lever 16. VThis `restores the latter to its normal position, withdrawing the upper extremity of its arm 18 that had been presented under projection `19`and had been blocking lever i3. At the same time pin 83 is'moved into the path 'of off-set pawl 84, disengaging the'latterV from the ratchet Wheel 9|. Lever 84, through its engagement with the sidewardly extending arm 95, also 'withdraws the detent pawl 94, causing shaftY 92 to be restored to normal position'under the influence of Vspring 96. VShaft 92 Vthenrotates in a clockwise direction untilv it arrives at the position when its stop pin 98. Y y j With the restoration of shaft 92pin 99 carried by wheel 9| isiwithdrawn from engagement with projection |0| of lever |02.VV This retracts screw i 04 from contact with special lever |05 and permits the latter toagain assume its-normal position, intowhich it is constantly urged by` an i individual spring 34V associated with it in the same manner as similar springs are associated with the general class of feeler levers 32. Thus upon the succeeding sensing operation by the'V several leversY32, special lever |05 assumes its normal position which, when transferred to code j bar |01, restores it so as to effect theblocking of `levers 63 amd64 in readiness for a subsequent rail shift signal operation. .Y Y f i It will be noted that Ythe delayed operation affects two of a plurality of automatically controlled functions and that the time interval of delay may be Varied by adjusting the angular poa sition of stop arm 91, or in other words, by;per i mitting a variable number of teeth Vto intervene between the normal'position of shaft 92and the position thereof at the time when the restoring lever |02.

VIJcscription of Voperation Y Under normal conditions of operatiomrthetape Il is fed leftwardlyras viewed in Fig. 4, by the sprocket feed wheel |2. Record reader operating pin 99 movesYV shaft 28, through its cam 21, imparts reciprocal motion to an assemblage of levers which are pivoted at I9 and which include lever 25 andV lever I8. The latter receives its counterclockwise movement through the engagementof its projection 23 with the adjustment screw 24 carried by the principal operating lever 25.

'Ihe return-movement of lever I8 is influenced by its associated spring 22 andinthis manner lever |8is capable` of actuating the tape feed shaft I through the instrumentality of its feeding pawl il.

When pursuant to one of the special signals such as in the present illustration the Roman face or Bold face shift signals, shaft l5 is received within the alignment of notches lit, lever 'I6 is rocked about its pivot 82 causing to be withdrawn the pin S3 which normally prevents pawl 84 from engaging ratchet wheel el and concurrently presents the upper extremity of arm 'iii behind the projection lil which is an integral formation of lever it. In this manner, either of the special selecting signals arrest the further activity of the tape advancing lever i8, but the principal operating lever 25 continues reciprocating under the influence of cam 2l and spring Si. This motion is imparted to pawl Ell which now being permitted to engage ratchet wheel rotates the latter and also shaft 92 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3. Each reciprocal movement of pawl Sii advances the ratchet wheel 9i one tooth distance, where it is held by detent pawl 94% while pawl at returns to engage a succeeding group in the wheel Si.

This operation continues until the pin 99, which extends sid-ewardly from wheel Si, comes into engagement with the projection till of a restoring lever m2, moving the latter counterclcckwise about shaft 92 until screw i engages and moves lever H35, as viewed in Fig. 3. During all of the time that pawl Sli is rotating shaft 92, 'the several transfer levers il are reciprocated to and fro by their carrying bail and lever eil which is influenced by cam 3l. Since, however, no change is effected in the several feeler levers 32 or ist, the movement of the transfer levers fil have no further effect until the instant when screw iiii dislodges the special lever H35, causing the associated transfer lever il thereof to shift its connecting bar lf3@ and code bar lill. The movement of these two bars dislodges shaft 'i5 and associated lever le, also withdrawing bar till' from blocking the partially selected element i3 or 6d, as the case may be. This causes the common actuator to engage the selected bar t3 or 6ft and to perform the particular function for which it was selected.

The return of lever l5 restores the mechanism in the record reader to normal condition, permitting tape feed lever iB to again be influenced by the principal operating lever 25, dislodging feed pawl Sii from engagement with ratchet wheel Sil and through it withdrawing the detent pawl 913 so that shaft 912 may yield to the influence of spring 96 and be restored to its normal position which, as explained above, isangularly adjustable and dependent upon the angular position of stop member Sl with respect to shaft Q52.

In the particular case, the function whose response is delayed by the described mechanism is the rail shift operation, as already explained. When bar 63 is selected, it rotates its associated lever 65 clockwise, as viewed from above in Fig. 1, causing the parallelogrammatic assembly 6E to pull link El downwardly and present rail li in itsv Bold position, causing subsequently received matrices to be supported by the rail l l but when thereafter bar 6d is selected, it likewise rotates its associated lever $5 clockwise but affects the parallelogrammatic assembly S6 in a contrary manner, thrusting link El upwardly so as to permit spring SS to withdraw the shiftable rail to its Roman position.

The amount of time that is to lapse between the instant at which the particular rail shift signal is ture of adjustability permits not only for varying the time delay in connection with a particular function of shifting the rail, but also permits i e of the same delay mechanism for various other functions, the time delay intervals of which may vary materially.

A further noteworthy feature of this invention is its capacity to subserve any or so'many of the control functions as may be desired. To accomplish this object, bar itl need only be provided with the proper projections such as lS and 93 to effect the blocking of any of the elements t2 whose functional response it is desired to delay.

While the present invention has been illustrated and described with specific reference to a particular adaptation thereof, it should be understood that numerous modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. It is therefore intended not to be limited to the particular language of the foregoing description nor to the details in the accompanying illustrations but to be permitted, instead, a latitude of interpretation as indicated by the hereunto appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a linecasting and composing machine, the combination of an assembling block for receiving selectively released matrices from which a printing slug is to be cast including a rail shiftable into two positions to accordingly support or reject subsequently received matrices, apparatus for shifting said rail, a record reader responsive to various signals stored in a tape, and adjustable means operatively associated with said record reader and specially responsive to rail shifting signals received thereby for delaying the effectiveness of said signals for a predetermined interval that may be varied in accordance with predetermined adjustment.

2. In a tape sensing mechanism, a set of feeler elements, an intermittentlyoperative tape feeding apparatus, a cam shaft including a cam for operating said elements and a cam for operating said apparatus, and means for suspending the movement of said apparatus without arresting said shaft.

3. In a tape sensing mechanism, an intermittently operative tape feeding apparatus, a rotating cam shaft including a cam secured thereto for operating said apparatus, and means for suspending the movement of said apparatus without arresting said shaft.`

4. In a tape sensing mechanism, an intermittently operative tape feeding apparatus, a cam for actuating said apparatus, and means for suspending the movement of said apparatus without arresting said cam.

5. In a tape sensing mechanism, a set of feeler elements, an intermittently operative tape feeding apparatus, a cam shaft including a cam for operating said elements and a cam for operating said apparatus, and means for suspending the movement of said apparatus comprising a blocking lever for withholding said apparatus from receiving motion from its operating cam.

6. In a tape sensing mechanism, a set of feeler elements, an intermittently operative tape-feeding apparatus, a cam shaft including a camv for operating said elements and a cam for operating said apparatus, and means for-suspending the VY movement of said apparatus comprising a mem.- "1 ber 'responsive to certain control signals in the tape :by moving into position for blocking the operative engagement between said apparatus and its cam. Y Y 10 7. In a selector` mechanism, a'timing device comprising a selector operating shaft capable of continuous rotation, a trip-off lever for performing an occasional function, a ratchet wheel having a lug for engaging andactuating'said lever, and a pawl for feeding said wheel under the propulsion of said shaft. Y v Y 8. In a record reader mechanism, a set of coded selector elements to be variously positioned for effecting the individual selective conditioning of 20 each of a plurality of function elements, a set of signal sensing members, means for moving said selector elements to correspond with the settings of said members immediately following a sensing operation of said members, and means for y2 5 movingwsaid selector elements to correspond with the settings of said members after a predetermined time delay interval.

'9. In a record readeigan escapement mechanism to be initiated for occasional or periodic perf3.0 formance including a continuously operative shaft, Ya tributary shaft, means for rotating said tributary shaft under the control of said continuously operating shaft comprising a pawl and ratchet Wheel assembly, a trip-off leverloosely supported upon said tributary shaft, means responsive to certain signals for effecting the oper- Vative connectionof said pawl and ratchet mechanism, and an engagement means carried Vby said tributary shaft for actuating said lever upon con- 40 summation of a predetermined revolution of said tributary shaft.'V

10. In anrautomaticcontrol device, a set of signal responsive elements, a set of selector bars positioned by the setting of said elements, and an' L .escapement mechanism responsive to certain settings only of said elements comprising a shaft,"a

trip-off'means carried by said shaft, and a feed f pawl for rotatingY said shaft Vintermittently and for thereby advancing said trip-ofl'means.

Y5() 11. A record'Y reader mechanism including a continuously rotating power transmittingv element, oscillatoryrecord advancing mechanism intermittently actuatedl by said element, a set of sensing 'elements responsive to signal conditions Y 55 carried by the record material, and means responsive toa certain condition of said sensing elements for dissociating said oscillatoryY record advancing mechanism from saidV continuously rotating element.

V6.0 Y 12. In an automatic control device responsive to transverse perforations in a tape, `the combination including a set of tape sensing elements, a set of code Ybars corresponding to said elements, meansfor transmitting the condition of 65Vsaid elements to said code bars, an additional code bar, a Vlever for controllingthe positioning of said additional code bar having a normal position, means for altering the position of said lever including a ratchet feed Vmechanism responsive V70, Vto a predetermined number of-advancing ,opera- Y tions, and means actuated by said ratchet feed mechanism for displacingsaid lever after fthe: consummation of said predetermined number'of ratchet Yfeeding operations.Y .A 75,` :13.,In an. automatic selector mechanism, a set for summarily placing saidV elements to select one'` of said members, and means responsive to certain other signals' for placing Vsaid elements after the lapse of a predetermined time interval. t

14. In a signal responsive selecting apparatus, a plurality of,l function performing elements to lbe individually conditioned for operation, a..V set of coded selectors capable of variable placement for conditioning said elements individually, `a set of signal responsive elements for placing said selectors, and means for deferring the selective conditioning of certain of said plurality of elements until the lapse of a predetermined inter-Y val after the placementv ofV said selectors.

16. In arecord reader mechanism, a plurality of function elements subject to Vselective conditioning and operation, a set of code members l l0 be individually conditioned for operation, a, sety variously presentable for selectively conditioning said elements individually. a corresponding set of vsignal responsive means for variously pre-V senting said code members, and means for suspending the selective conditioning of said function elements during a predetermined time interval following the proper presentment of said code members.

17. In an automatic control device, aset of standard selecting elements, a special selecting element, and means responsive to a setting of said standard elements for positioning said special element Vincluding .an actuating member having a plurality of-teeth, and means for'vary- `ingrth'e number of teeth to .intervene between the normal position of saidl member and the po-YV sition at whichY it affects said specialV element.

18.YV In an'automaticcontrol apparatus responsive to various perforations lnatape, a tape advancing mechanism including a `feed sprocket, a reciprocating element for feeding saidY sprocket, and aV power driven shaft for actuating said reciprocating element, a spring for urging said ele-- ment into engagement with said shaft, and a blocking means responsive to certainV perforavtions in the tape for. preventing the effort of said spring .in effecting the engagement of said element With said shaft.

19. In a selecting mechanism, 'a plurality of Y elements to be selected, a set of code bars vari-v Vously notched.V and positionable Vto select said` elements individually, an additionalV code bar normally blocking the selection oiV certain-,of saidV Yele'ments,`and aratchet- Vfeed mechanism including means responsiveconcurrentlywith theselection o fsaid certain of said Velements and'eiective afterthe expiration oi'l a predetermined delay interval for withdrawing said additional bar and permitting the completeV selection of said certain of said elements.

K 20. In an automatic control-mechanism, means Y responsive to various perforations in the tapelfor executing corresponding functions in a controlled mechanism, an operating shaft capable of continuous rotation for actuating said means, and a delay mechanism for suspending the operation of said means under predetermined conditions including a step-by-step actuator, means for imparting motion to said actuator under control of said shaft, and a trip-off means carried by said step-by-step actuator.

21. In a record reader mechanism, a set of feeler levers, individual means for urging said feeler levers into engagement with the surface of a control form, means for withdrawing said feeler levers simultaneously from engagement with l5 said form including an operating shaft, a return bail, and a spring element intermediate said shaft and said bail for absorbing excessive and/ or resisted forces imparted by said shaft.

22. In a record reader mechanism, a plurality of elements to be individually selected and operated, a set of code bars variously positionable to select said elements, means responsive to certain positions of said code bars for delaying the selection of those elements affected by said conditions including a blocking member normally disposed-to prevent the selection of certain ones of said elements, a ratchet feed mechanism initiated by said certain positions of said code bars, and means actuated by said ratchet feed elements after a predetermined delay interval for withdrawing said blocking member.

23. In a mechanical selecting apparatus, a plurality of function performing members, a set of code bars transversely disposed with respect to said members and having notch and lug ccoperation therewith whereby for each disposition of said set of bars a selective clearance is offered to one of said members, auxiliary portions to said bars having notches corresponding in permutative arrangement to certain ones of the notches for selecting corresponding ones of said members, and mechanism selected by the notches in said auxiliary portions for modifying the selective response of said certain ones of said members.

24. In a signal responsive apparatus, a set of notched selecting elements permutatively positionable to afford individual selective clearances, a corresponding set of signal responsive members for setting said elements in various arrangements during consecutive cycles of operation, an additional selecting element associated with said set of elements but having no associated signal responsive member, and means responsive to certain conditions of said set of notched elements and'. functioning during the time interval of a plurality of said cycles of operation for setting said additional selecting element.

25. In an automatic control mechanism having a plurality of individually selectable elements for performing a corresponding plurality of functions, the method of delaying the performance of certain of said functions beyond their 65 normal response which comprises the steps of selecting an element for suspending the further operation of the mechanism, concurrently setting in motion a timed ratchet feed device, and through said ratchet feed device reinstating the 70 operation of said mechanism.

26. In an automatic control apparatus having a plurality of individually selectable elements for performing a corresponding plurality of functions and a mechanism for selectively condition- 75 ing each of said elements in accordance with control signals, the methodof delaying the performance of certain of said functions which comprises the steps of blocking the selection of said certain of said elements which are associated With the functions to be delayed, setting in motion a ratchet feed device of preadjusted timing, permitting the partial selection of said certain elements in response Yto their selecting signals, and thereafter completing said selection through the instrumentality of said ratchet feed device.

27. In an automatic control unit responsive to tape storage signals for performing a plurality of control functions, a set of selecting bars having variously disposed notches therein designed to afford an individual seiective clearance with each permutative arrangement, storage signal sensing means for setting said bars cyclically, an additional selecting bar, means for determining the position of said additional selecting bar in accordance with the setting of said set of selecting bars comprising, a ratchet feed mechanism initiated into operation in response to certain arrangements of said set of selecting bars, and means associated with said ratchet feed mechanism for moving said additional bar.

28. In a tape sensing apparatus for automatically controlling the performance of a plurality of functions, a set of primary signal element levers, means for setting certain of said levers in accordance with the perforations in a tape, and means for setting certain of said levers in accordance with a local operating mechanism.

29. In a tape controlled mechanism, a set of primary signal elements, a tape advancing means, apparatus for cyclically operating said tape advancing means and for permitting setting of certain of said signal elements in accordance with i the instant condition of said tape, and a device for changing the setting of certain of said elements without advancing said tape.

30. In an automatic control mechanism for the supervision of a plurality of functions under the control of perforations in a tape, a cyclically operative shaft, means under control of said shaft for advancing a perforated tape, a set of primary signal impulse levers, means for variously positioning said levers in accordance with the instant perforations appearing in said tape, a set of coded selectors, means under cyclic control of said shaft for positioning certain of said selectors in accordance with` said primary impulse levers, and means operated by a plurality of cycles of said shaft for positioning certain others of said selectors.

3l. In a tape sensing apparatus, a cyclically rotatable operating shaft, a tape advancing mechanism cyclically actuated by said shaft, a set of tape feelers constituting primary code storage elements, additional means also constituting primary code storage elements, transfer means operated cyclically by said shaft for communicating the condition of all said primary storage elements to a mechanical selector, means responsive to certain settings of said feelers for suspending the operation of said tape advancing mechanism, and a device for positioning Said additional means under the actuation of a plurality of cycles of said operating shaft.

32. In a tape controlled apparatus, a cyclically operative power shaft, a set of code selector bars, a corresponding set of primary impulse storage levers, a corresponding set of transfer levers reciprocated by said shaft for communicating the setting of said storage levers 'to their corresponding selector bars, a tape advancing mechanism,

v and Ymeans for arresting the cyclic performance Y mitting the cyclic performance of said shaft and Vtransfer levers.

of said apparatus comprising a member for disrabling said tape advancing mechanism While per- 33. In a tape sensing Vapparatus that is cyclic- Y ally actuated by a power source to effect each signal sensing function, the method of achieving a delayed responsein the execution of certain selective functionswhich comprises the steps of partiallyselecting a function initiating member,

utilizing the cyclic actuation of said power 'source to actuate a ratchet feed device, and 'completing the selection of the partially selected member by the consummate movement of the ratchet feedv device.

34. In an automatic selector mechanism, a plurality of function performing leversto be indi- Vidually conditioned,Y means responsive to 'stored signals for conditioning said function performing levers, means for delaying the response of certain of said conditioning means, and means t operable simultaneously with said certain conditioning means for discontinuing the the'delaying means.

' 35. In an automatic selector mechanism, a set operation of Yof notched permutation elements, a plurality of -said selective response to cancel the selection at said auxiliary portions.

36. In an automatic control device,.control form presenting means, selector means responsive to signals in'said control form, means controlled by theselector means for interrupting said control form presentingrmeans, means also controlled by said selector meansffor initiating selectively a multiplicity of operations, and means controlled by said operation initiating means for restarting said control form presenting means after an interval commensurate With the time required for the performance ofV one of said multiplicity of operations.

37. In a signal responsive device, a set of code bars, a correspondingV set of signal responsive elements each related to one of said code bars, means forpositioning each code bar in accordance with its related element, an additional code bar, and means responsive to a condition of the l i several of said'el-ements for positioning said additional code bar including a mechanism initiated by said certain condition of said several 'elements and operativeafter a predetermined adjustable delay interval.

38. In an automatic'control mechanism, having a plurality of individually selectable elements capable of performing individual functions, the method of delaying the performance of certain of said functions which'comprises the 20 steps of normally blocking the selection o f said certain of said elements, Ypermitting the partial selection of said elements in response to their selecting signals, and thereafter upon the termination of a predetermined adjustable time interval permitting the completion of the selection of said elements andrtheir resulting selective operation.

39. In an automatic control device, signal presenting means, signal responsive means for partially initiating operations, means controlled by the signal responsive means for interrupting the Vsignal presenting means, means for completing the initiation of operations;Y andmeans con- 1 trolled by the last mentioned means for re` starting the signal presenting means.

40.V In an automatic control device, signal presenting means, signal sensing means, means controlled by the signal sensing means for interruptf ing the signal presenting means, code bars controlled directly by said sensing means for initiating operations, a code bar controlled indirectly by said sensing means; and means controlled by the last mentioned code bar for restarting the signal presenting means after an interval commensurate with the time required for the performance of an operation.

LESTER.V M. WALDEN. 

